Condition
Enzyme
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.Published 23 February 20051 min read
Key points
- Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change in other substances without being changed themselves.
- For example, they can change starches, proteins, and sugars into substances the body can digest.
- Blood clotting is another example of enzymes at work.
- Enzymes exist in the mouth (saliva), stomach (gastric juice), and intestines (pancreatic juice, intestinal juice, and intestinal mucosa).
Definition
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change in other substances without being changed themselves. Enzymes can be found in every organ of the body. For example, they can change starches, proteins, and sugars into substances the body can digest. Blood clotting is another example of enzymes at work.
Enzymes exist in the mouth (saliva), stomach (gastric juice), and intestines (pancreatic juice, intestinal juice, and intestinal mucosa).
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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